The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1887-08-07

as Teputhulc, uNc 40 iit'io VII SoiViy
and FIVE as positively bad. Now, |
propose that each church be held to
q strict account to all the others for
the moral health OF one'haif OF q
reputable ward, one.fourth oil an of
color ward, and one. fourth of bad
ward. In that way We can thorough
" supervise the entire city in such a
manner that the burdens Of all the
churches shall be equal.
II presume | know, but will you
please tell me, Brother Middlemas,
precisely what you mean by work
that has no sectarian signifcanceH"
inquired Brother Patterson.
IL mean such work as temperance
reform, tenement house reform, Sun.
day closing reform, sewing girls
wages reform, the phase OF political
reform that looks to the purity of
the ballot box and the suppression OF
bribery. You and |, Brother Pat
terson, do not see eye to eye in re-
gard to the efficacy OF sprinkling
infants, so that when it comes TO de-
nominational work, PROSECUTING work,
we could not well cooperate. But
certainly we could hitch teams to
promote the reforms | have speci-
fed. And what crying need there is
for hit,hing teams. Why, this town
of ours is not nearly so well organ
lied to fight the devil as the fire dc.
partmeut is TO fight fire. Its chief
engineer said to me not long ago,
with a glow OF pride in his eyes.
We've got things in such bully
shape that it's cold day when We
don't put out fire before it's made
much headway.' | wish our churches,
which might also be called-begging
your pardon, Simmons (Simmous
was pastor of the Universalist
church)-a fire department could
quench the fires of evil before they
made much Roadway"
"Middlcmas, do you think your
scheme is quito practical2' inquired
DR.. Stillwell. "Aue granting that it
is, is not our Young Mems Christian
Association, rather than our
churches, the proper agency for ac-
lively promoting the reforms you
have mentioued2 There eau be no
religion without morality, therefore
let our Christian association and re-
lated organizations labor strenuous
" for good morals in the broadest
sense of the term--broad enough, for
example, to include clean streets aud
no coming in late 10 concerts. But
had not the churches better coufne
themselves to their appointed work
of commenting Christ TO sinful souls2
| To reclaim a mau from intemperance
does not make him a Christian, but
make him a Christian and his
reclamation from intempsrance nee
essarily follows"
Possibly the scheme is not prac-
tical2' replied Mr.. Middlemas.
THAT remains TO be determined ;
but | should as soon think Of doubt.
ing my own existence as doubling
that the churches could properly
put il in execution. Our combined
church statistics show OF seem u
show that this is a religious town
but the police statistics show or seem
To show that this is not a moral town.
A religious but not a moral town
1t is distressing paradox. | quite
agree with Brother Stillwell that the
work Of the church is 10 commend
Christ TO mankind. But how can W,
more effectually do that than by self
denying labors for the uplifting o.
this community A tree is known
= BY its fruit better than by the bes
= essa- that ever was written on po
5 mology. The easiest way 10 make I
I farmer love the tree that bears th,
9 Spitzenbergs or the Greetings is no
{ 20 discourse 10 him about the trees
y but to let him eat OF the apples. q
4 sometimes when | 20 about our cit.
:. and observe the wickedness, the mis-
1 cry, the poverty, the selfshness, tina
abound, I feel like tying a piece o
5 Grape upon the handle Of ever.
$ church door aud sppendiDg this no
{ tice In 'l8S- OF tho year OF our Lord
J.. this church Of our Lord, bein
d without works, died. May the Lor'
\ have merry on it, | am more an,
T more convinded every day that III
d work in which we are engaged, al
= thoulh incomparably the creates
}. which can command human activi
/. ties, is worse organized than az
Is other work that is being done i
J. South Enderby. | have already re
* ferred TO the fire department; tax
'e another instance. The other day
a called on the president Of ono Of on
< insurance companies at his Office.
= noticed back OF him on great shelvc
Ie a large number OF what looked lik
n great aliases, aud venturcd % as
], Kim what they were. He explaine
ID that they we're books showing b
IN maps all the property on all III
l. streets Of South Euderby, aud th'
b by referring 10 them the compau
rs could Judge Of the nature Of the ris
he which il would be called upon 20 a
lo sumo whenever any new insuranC
" was offered IL. Suppose we had sou
ID scheme Of Christian work in opcri
IN ton which cquallcd that for thol
rs oughness; don't you think, brethrel
nc that we could pray Thy kingdo
r, come with livelier faith"
i. III favor your scheme" remark,
60 Brother Ballagh. but how are v
roing To find time TO put il in pra
he tice? If we undertake il and IL 4
tn zlcs out the laugh will not be on q
he churches but on us ministers. Nc
at I for one, what with preparing "
al sermons week, conducting
n. Wednesday evening service. atten
4. ing TO pastoral visitation, ohiciatil
no AZ marriages aud funerals, aud 9
,es planning to agents that ! have
by hand all the m,ps Of Palestine, th
ar, | really ycarn ior-l say that wi
We ali this burden already on my shot
n dcrs hardly feel equal 20 a.sumi
We any other. The spirit Is willir
,cs Middlemas, and the flesh is pref
he firm, but there are only twenty 10
lie. hours in day.
II ~ have thought Of that, "a
Tor Middlemas, "but rs | look at IL wi